Project Vera

Last summer, I posted a wish list of guns I planned to buy next. A lot of interesting things have transpired in the meantime, and I use the word "interesting" in the full sense of the old Arab curse, "May you live in interesting times."

The first gun on my list was an AR-15, and I'm happy to report the kickoff of what I am calling Project Vera.

The first step, and really the one that kicked it all off, was getting a great deal on a stripped aluminum lower made by Northern Frontier Armory, from Mike at Dog Leg Arms. Once I had this, I read a bunch, and tweeted some, and came up with a plan to build a home defense gun with the following general specs:

• Flat top upper, maybe a Sporting version without forward assist.
• 16 inch barrel, 1:7 twist. Chrome lined.
• Red dot optic with co-witnessed iron backups - either 1x or 1-4x.
• Multi position stock.
• Single stage military trigger.
• Weapon light, possibly with a laser.

Later, as finances allow, I plan to get a shorter barrel and a suppressor, since this will likely be used indoors in a defense situation.

I did some research on trigger groups, and looked at some on the interwebz. On Saturday I happened to be at Lakeside Guns in Acworth, Georgia, and saw a DPMS lower parts kit, for just a little more than what I've seen. I had no problem spending it, since I not only saved shipping cost, but I got it right now, and I supported a great local business.

Of course, the best part of all is that the lower receiver, the part with the serial number, is the only part of the gun that I have to buy through an FFL. The rest I can buy from Lakeside Guns, or over the Interwebz, or gun shows, or wherever I want. And, not coincidentally, it's the only part that's subject to the Ad Valorum tax. This means, if nothing else, I'll save a little over buying a complete gun then making the mods I want.

Up next: assembly of the lower. Pray for me.